Homebrew is an open-source package manager for macOS that offers an easy way to install software and tolls through the command line. If you are a coder, developer, Terminal lover, or more tech-savvy than an average Mac user, you can use Homebrew to simplify software installation on your Mac.
Homebrew lets you use commands to download and install Python, Ruby, MongoDB, PHP, Git, Node.js, cask, colordiff, Nmap, and other Unix command-line utilities. In this guide, I'll show you how to install Homebrew in macOS Catalina or M1 Mac. Desktop view in chrome.
Question: Q: Mac OS Catalina won't install I downloaded the Mac OS Catalina but nothing happens after it says 'downloaded'. I searched my computer and found the 'Catalina' file, but when I click on it nothing happens. The first thing you'll need is the macOS Catalina installer. Here's the link to the Catalina installer on the App Store. It'll take up around 9 gigabytes of space on your hard drive, and the App Store will put in your Applications folder. Once it's completely downloaded from the App Store, the installer will start automatically. Choose the destination hard drive for MacOS Catalina, for most users it will be 'Macintosh HD', then click 'Install' Let MacOS Catalina install completely, the Mac will reboot automatically during this process, when finished the Mac will boot directly to the MacOS Catalina desktop. After the macOS installer is downloaded the installer will launch. If it does not, go to your Applications folder and double-click the Install macOS Catalina app. When prompted, your internal hard drive will be selected as the install disk. (optional) Select another drive if you want to install macOS 10.15 Catalina to an external hard drive.
Requirements to install Homebrew on Mac
Download: macOS Big Sur, macOS Catalina, macOS Mojave, or macOS High Sierra These download to your Applications folder as an app named Install macOS version name. If the installer opens after downloading, quit it without continuing installation.
- A 64-bit Intel or Apple Silicon M1 CPU
- macOS Mojave (10.14) or later
- Command Line Tools (CLT) for Xcode (steps 1 and 2 below)
Note: Some formulae require full Xcode installation. - A Bourne-compatible shell for installation (e.g., bash or zsh)
- Administrator access on Mac
- Internet connectivity
For some finer requirement details, please see the official page.
Once you satisfy the above requirements, see how to install Homebrew on macOS.
How to install Homebrew on macOS Catalina or M1 Mac
- Open Terminal and enter this command
xcode-select --install - Click Install from the popup. Go through the T&C and click Agree if you do. Let the download complete.
- To install Homebrew, enter the following command in the Terminal.
/usr/bin/ruby -e '$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)' - You will have to enter your Mac's password once. After that, the downloading and installation will begin. The total download size is around 400MB. It will take some time.
Verify Homebrew installation in macOS
- Open Terminal and type
brew -v - You will see the version of Homebrew installed on your Mac.
Tip: brew doctor lets you know about Homebrew status, issues, and updates, if available or required.
Now that you have installed Homebrew, let's see how to use it.
How to use Homebrew to install a package on Mac
- To see the full list of packages:
brew formulae - To search a software package:
brew search packagename - Get information about a package:
brew info packagename - To download and install:
brew install packagename
For example, if I have to install speedtest-cli, here is how the command looks:brew install speedtest-cli
After installation, enter speedtest-cli in the Terminal to run this command. - Pro Tip: You can install not only command-line apps but also GUI (Graphical User Interface) apps via Homebrew. For this, use
brew install --cask app-name. For example,brew install --cask firefoxorbrew install --cask google-chromeYou can see the full list here. - To see all the apps installed by Homebrew on your Mac:
brew list
Tip: Packages are usually installed in this folder:/usr/local/Cellar
In case you do not find this folder, enterbrew --prefixin the Terminal to see the folder location. - To update the package:
brew update packagename - For removing an installed package:
brew remove packagename - To know what else you can do:
man brew
How to update or remove Homebrew from your Mac
At times, Homebrew is updated automatically when you run commands. But you can also update it manually by entering brew update in the Terminal.
In case you no longer need Homebrew, run the following command to uninstall Homebrew and all the installed packages.ruby -e '$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/uninstall)'
Loving the ease and simplicity of Homebrew!
I hope the above guide helped you download, install, and use Homebrew. Once you start using it, there is no going back. Finally, I would like to tell you about four handy command-line programs I love.
Youtube-dl: This lets me download videos from YouTube and other places. More info.speedtest-cli: I can see my download and upload speed via this. More info.imagemagick: Lets me convert an image to another format and make simple edits. More info.wifi-password: This brilliant yet straightforward command shows me the Wi-Fi password of the currently connected network. Super handy!
You will also love to read:
I have been an Apple user for over seven years now. At iGeeksBlog, I love creating how-tos and troubleshooting guides that help people do more with their iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. In my free time, I like to watch stand up comedy videos, tech documentaries, news debates, and political speeches.
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/ankur/How to Turn ON or OFF Facebook Nearby Friends on iPhone
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/ankur/How to Reset Hosts File to Default on Mac and Windows PC
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/ankur/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/ankur/How to Turn off Unread Mail Count in Mail App on iPhone
These advanced steps are primarily for system administrators and others who are familiar with the command line. You don't need a bootable installer to upgrade macOS or reinstall macOS, but it can be useful when you want to install on multiple computers without downloading the installer each time.
What you need to create a bootable installer
- A USB flash drive or other secondary volume formatted as Mac OS Extended, with at least 14GB of available storage
- A downloaded installer for macOS Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, or El Capitan
Download macOS
- Download: macOS Big Sur, macOS Catalina, macOS Mojave, or macOS High Sierra
These download to your Applications folder as an app named Install macOS [version name]. If the installer opens after downloading, quit it without continuing installation. To get the correct installer, download from a Mac that is using macOS Sierra 10.12.5 or later, or El Capitan 10.11.6. Enterprise administrators, please download from Apple, not a locally hosted software-update server. - Download: OS X El Capitan
This downloads as a disk image named InstallMacOSX.dmg. On a Mac that is compatible with El Capitan, open the disk image and run the installer within, named InstallMacOSX.pkg. It installs an app named Install OS X El Capitan into your Applications folder. You will create the bootable installer from this app, not from the disk image or .pkg installer.
Use the 'createinstallmedia' command in Terminal
- Connect the USB flash drive or other volume that you're using for the bootable installer.
- Open Terminal, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
- Type or paste one of the following commands in Terminal. These assume that the installer is in your Applications folder, and MyVolume is the name of the USB flash drive or other volume you're using. If it has a different name, replace
MyVolumein these commands with the name of your volume.
Big Sur:*
Catalina:*
Mojave:*
High Sierra:*
Safari web browser wikipedia. El Capitan:
* If your Mac is using macOS Sierra or earlier, include the --applicationpath argument and installer path, similar to the way this is done in the command for El Capitan.
After typing the command:
- Press Return to enter the command.
- When prompted, type your administrator password and press Return again. Terminal doesn't show any characters as you type your password.
- When prompted, type
Yto confirm that you want to erase the volume, then press Return. Terminal shows the progress as the volume is erased. - After the volume is erased, you may see an alert that Terminal would like to access files on a removable volume. Click OK to allow the copy to proceed.
- When Terminal says that it's done, the volume will have the same name as the installer you downloaded, such as Install macOS Big Sur. You can now quit Terminal and eject the volume.
Use the bootable installer
Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:
Apple silicon
- Plug the bootable installer into a Mac that is connected to the internet and compatible with the version of macOS you're installing.
- Turn on your Mac and continue to hold the power button until you see the startup options window, which shows your bootable volumes and a gear icon labled Options.
- Select the volume containing the bootable installer, then click Continue.
- When the macOS installer opens, follow the onscreen instructions.
Intel processor
Install Macos Catalina
- Plug the bootable installer into a Mac that is connected to the internet and compatible with the version of macOS you're installing.
- Press and hold the Option (Alt) ⌥ key immediately after turning on or restarting your Mac.
- Release the Option key when you see a dark screen showing your bootable volumes.
- Select the volume containing the bootable installer. Then click the up arrow or press Return.
If you can't start up from the bootable installer, make sure that the External Boot setting in Startup Security Utility is set to allow booting from external media. - Choose your language, if prompted.
- Select Install macOS (or Install OS X) from the Utilities window, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.
How To Download Macos Catalina
Learn more
For more information about the createinstallmedia command and the arguments that you can use with it, make sure that the macOS installer is in your Applications folder, then enter the appropriate path in Terminal:
Download: macOS Big Sur, macOS Catalina, macOS Mojave, or macOS High Sierra These download to your Applications folder as an app named Install macOS version name. If the installer opens after downloading, quit it without continuing installation.
- A 64-bit Intel or Apple Silicon M1 CPU
- macOS Mojave (10.14) or later
- Command Line Tools (CLT) for Xcode (steps 1 and 2 below)
Note: Some formulae require full Xcode installation. - A Bourne-compatible shell for installation (e.g., bash or zsh)
- Administrator access on Mac
- Internet connectivity
For some finer requirement details, please see the official page.
Once you satisfy the above requirements, see how to install Homebrew on macOS.
How to install Homebrew on macOS Catalina or M1 Mac
- Open Terminal and enter this command
xcode-select --install - Click Install from the popup. Go through the T&C and click Agree if you do. Let the download complete.
- To install Homebrew, enter the following command in the Terminal.
/usr/bin/ruby -e '$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)' - You will have to enter your Mac's password once. After that, the downloading and installation will begin. The total download size is around 400MB. It will take some time.
Verify Homebrew installation in macOS
- Open Terminal and type
brew -v - You will see the version of Homebrew installed on your Mac.
Tip: brew doctor lets you know about Homebrew status, issues, and updates, if available or required.
Now that you have installed Homebrew, let's see how to use it.
How to use Homebrew to install a package on Mac
- To see the full list of packages:
brew formulae - To search a software package:
brew search packagename - Get information about a package:
brew info packagename - To download and install:
brew install packagename
For example, if I have to install speedtest-cli, here is how the command looks:brew install speedtest-cli
After installation, enter speedtest-cli in the Terminal to run this command. - Pro Tip: You can install not only command-line apps but also GUI (Graphical User Interface) apps via Homebrew. For this, use
brew install --cask app-name. For example,brew install --cask firefoxorbrew install --cask google-chromeYou can see the full list here. - To see all the apps installed by Homebrew on your Mac:
brew list
Tip: Packages are usually installed in this folder:/usr/local/Cellar
In case you do not find this folder, enterbrew --prefixin the Terminal to see the folder location. - To update the package:
brew update packagename - For removing an installed package:
brew remove packagename - To know what else you can do:
man brew
How to update or remove Homebrew from your Mac
At times, Homebrew is updated automatically when you run commands. But you can also update it manually by entering brew update in the Terminal.
In case you no longer need Homebrew, run the following command to uninstall Homebrew and all the installed packages.ruby -e '$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/uninstall)'
Loving the ease and simplicity of Homebrew!
I hope the above guide helped you download, install, and use Homebrew. Once you start using it, there is no going back. Finally, I would like to tell you about four handy command-line programs I love.
Youtube-dl: This lets me download videos from YouTube and other places. More info.speedtest-cli: I can see my download and upload speed via this. More info.imagemagick: Lets me convert an image to another format and make simple edits. More info.wifi-password: This brilliant yet straightforward command shows me the Wi-Fi password of the currently connected network. Super handy!
You will also love to read:
I have been an Apple user for over seven years now. At iGeeksBlog, I love creating how-tos and troubleshooting guides that help people do more with their iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. In my free time, I like to watch stand up comedy videos, tech documentaries, news debates, and political speeches.
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/ankur/How to Turn ON or OFF Facebook Nearby Friends on iPhone
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/ankur/How to Reset Hosts File to Default on Mac and Windows PC
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/ankur/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/ankur/How to Turn off Unread Mail Count in Mail App on iPhone
These advanced steps are primarily for system administrators and others who are familiar with the command line. You don't need a bootable installer to upgrade macOS or reinstall macOS, but it can be useful when you want to install on multiple computers without downloading the installer each time.
What you need to create a bootable installer
- A USB flash drive or other secondary volume formatted as Mac OS Extended, with at least 14GB of available storage
- A downloaded installer for macOS Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, or El Capitan
Download macOS
- Download: macOS Big Sur, macOS Catalina, macOS Mojave, or macOS High Sierra
These download to your Applications folder as an app named Install macOS [version name]. If the installer opens after downloading, quit it without continuing installation. To get the correct installer, download from a Mac that is using macOS Sierra 10.12.5 or later, or El Capitan 10.11.6. Enterprise administrators, please download from Apple, not a locally hosted software-update server. - Download: OS X El Capitan
This downloads as a disk image named InstallMacOSX.dmg. On a Mac that is compatible with El Capitan, open the disk image and run the installer within, named InstallMacOSX.pkg. It installs an app named Install OS X El Capitan into your Applications folder. You will create the bootable installer from this app, not from the disk image or .pkg installer.
Use the 'createinstallmedia' command in Terminal
- Connect the USB flash drive or other volume that you're using for the bootable installer.
- Open Terminal, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
- Type or paste one of the following commands in Terminal. These assume that the installer is in your Applications folder, and MyVolume is the name of the USB flash drive or other volume you're using. If it has a different name, replace
MyVolumein these commands with the name of your volume.
Big Sur:*
Catalina:*
Mojave:*
High Sierra:*
Safari web browser wikipedia. El Capitan:
* If your Mac is using macOS Sierra or earlier, include the --applicationpath argument and installer path, similar to the way this is done in the command for El Capitan.
After typing the command:
- Press Return to enter the command.
- When prompted, type your administrator password and press Return again. Terminal doesn't show any characters as you type your password.
- When prompted, type
Yto confirm that you want to erase the volume, then press Return. Terminal shows the progress as the volume is erased. - After the volume is erased, you may see an alert that Terminal would like to access files on a removable volume. Click OK to allow the copy to proceed.
- When Terminal says that it's done, the volume will have the same name as the installer you downloaded, such as Install macOS Big Sur. You can now quit Terminal and eject the volume.
Use the bootable installer
Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:
Apple silicon
- Plug the bootable installer into a Mac that is connected to the internet and compatible with the version of macOS you're installing.
- Turn on your Mac and continue to hold the power button until you see the startup options window, which shows your bootable volumes and a gear icon labled Options.
- Select the volume containing the bootable installer, then click Continue.
- When the macOS installer opens, follow the onscreen instructions.
Intel processor
Install Macos Catalina
- Plug the bootable installer into a Mac that is connected to the internet and compatible with the version of macOS you're installing.
- Press and hold the Option (Alt) ⌥ key immediately after turning on or restarting your Mac.
- Release the Option key when you see a dark screen showing your bootable volumes.
- Select the volume containing the bootable installer. Then click the up arrow or press Return.
If you can't start up from the bootable installer, make sure that the External Boot setting in Startup Security Utility is set to allow booting from external media. - Choose your language, if prompted.
- Select Install macOS (or Install OS X) from the Utilities window, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.
How To Download Macos Catalina
Learn more
For more information about the createinstallmedia command and the arguments that you can use with it, make sure that the macOS installer is in your Applications folder, then enter the appropriate path in Terminal:
- Big Sur: /Applications/Install macOS Big Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia
- Catalina: /Applications/Install macOS Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia
- Mojave: /Applications/Install macOS Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia
- High Sierra: /Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia
- El Capitan: /Applications/Install OS X El Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia
Install Macos Catalina In My Launch Icons
A bootable installer doesn't download macOS from the internet, but it does require an internet connection to get firmware and other information specific to the Mac model.
